What Do I Do Monday? is one of my favorite books by John Holt. I’ve mentioned him often, because his ideas on children learning are so perceptive and insightful.
As John said: “I believe that we learn best when WE – not others – are deciding what we are going to try to learn....”
This time of year – when holidays and festivities abound – it can be challenging to stay focused on homeschool lessons and a specific curriculum.
Simplify your homeschool by asking your children: What would YOU like to do on Monday? And on Tuesday? And Wednesday? And each day of the week!
Their ideas could include:
* Make 3-D Art, Architecture, or Animation
* Create Wire Sculptures or Clay Sculptures
* Build a Hologram Projector or Screen
* Design a Game Similar to Roblox or Minecraft
* Learn Different Coding Languages
* Learn Foreign Languages
* Create Robots or Robotic Devices
* Build a Pinball Game, Marble Run, or Maze Game
* Learn Embroidery, Crocheting, Weaving, Quilting
* Design and Sew Totes, Bags, Purses, Wallets
* Sew a Family of Stuffed Critters or Dolls
* Make a Self-Contained Ecosystem or Biosphere
* Build a Solar Whirlygig or Wind Spinner
* Make a Sundial and Track the Sun Each Day
* Devise an Ice-Free Birdbath (non-electric) for Winter
* Build a Feeding Station for Squirrels
* Make an Anemometer and Rain Gauge
* Create New Outdoor Relay Games or Unique Races
* Take Nature Walks and Start a New Collection
* Build and Launch Bottle Rockets or Helicopters
* Create New Story-Writing Software
* Write a New Poem or Haiku Each Day
* Create Music or Songs for YouTube Videos
* Learn to Play an Instrument or Learn How to Dance
* Create Math Tricks or Math Stumper Games
* Design and Build Mini Dollhouse, Barn, or Manger
* Construct Bookshelves and Shadow Boxes
* Redesign a Playroom, Reading Nook, or Bedroom
* Bake New Desserts or Make Special Meals
* Build a Transistor Radio or Ham Radio
* Design a New Board Game or Card Game
* Put Together Model Cars, Planes, Human Bodies
* Create Own Crosswords and Word Searches
* Explore New or Different Science Experiments
* Take Field Trips to Places Never Visited Before
* Re-Enact Historic Events, Plays, or Stories
* Play “What If” or “Would You Rather” Games
* Strive for a Goal of Reading 50+ Books per Year
* Strive for a Goal of Creating 50+ Craft Items per Year
* Strive for a Goal of Creating 50+ Drawings or Art per Year
* Strive for a Goal of Creating 50+ New Learning Ideas per Year
That’s more than a month’s worth of ideas! And many could fill an entire year!
Be sure to record each one in your learning logs. Most cover all the basic skills and more!
Continue adding to these ideas by always asking your children what they would like to do or learn more about. You’ll never run out of learning ideas!
Happy homeschooling!
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